• Mess in the Telecommunication systems

• Customs not accustomed

• Scholarship scheme for Central Colleges students

• SriLankan Airlines Flight to Gaya

• Hats off to Divisional Secretariat staff

Mess in the Telecommunication systems

Most people who possess email and internet facilities in their homes are now faced with a frustrating new problem after new CDMA phones have been given to us. The Email/Internet Service Providers and their systems are not compatible with the CDMA wireless system.

Wonderful - our woes have not ended there. For nearly a month, we are unable to access our emails or the internet. No doubt there must be a huge backlog of messages waiting to be accessed. Who suffers?

SLT, Suntel, Lanka Bell, Email/Internet service providers or us, the subscribers? Have you ever asked the question why a person would want Email or Internet facilities? The simple answer is - to be able to access messages on a daily basis to attend to various personal or business activities, isn't it?

The Email addresses of the subscribers have been used for many years and now we are told that we have to change to new addresses which are given by the CDMA suppliers. Don't you think that we are being harassed too much for something that we the subscribers have not requested, but due to the irresponsible actions taken by some high powered individuals who have not bothered to find out whether such services can be provided with the least inconvenience to the people concerned.

Whether or not, the new systems are compatible with the existing old systems must be investigated before introducing new facilities, in the least a certain amount of consideration must be given to those who pay the bills.

We Sri Lankans are hoping to become the IT Centre for Asia. With the kind of mess we are in right now, one wonders where will we end up. is it so difficult to plan a proper system? Can the relevant authorities please put heads together and solve the problem without harassing subscribers endlessly and without living in a dream world.

DARMITHA, Kotte

Customs not accustomed

I am wondering whether the Sri Lanka Customs is working towards achieving the objects of Mahinda Chintanaya or trying to sabotage it.

I am compelled to ask this question by the attitude of the Customs officials. All of a sudden, they have become so strict that it takes days to clear any import shipment. The worst affected are the factories serviced by BOI and those who have been given 'Green Channel' facility.

The Customs treat these enterprises as a bunch of thieves. Also, every Import Entry is queried and the containers held up. They hold back containers on Thursdays or Fridays making it impossible for the importers to clear them.

Finally, when they clear the container, after a 100 per cent verification on Monday/Tuesday, they are called upon to pay heavy damages. This could be easily verified by the interested officials by checking how many containers of the 'Green Channel' importers were held back during a particular period and the final outcome of 100 per cent verification.

Everyday, more and more garment factories are closing down and while the President is trying his best to save the industry, the Customs are forcing these investors to move out of Sri Lanka. Something has to be done fast, otherwise the unemployment figures will go up with the help of Sri Lanka Customs.

S. G. GUNAWARDENE, Dehiwela

Scholarship scheme for Central Colleges students

All Island Central Colleges Past Pupils' Association has launched a scholarship scheme for the students of Central Colleges opened by Dr. C. W. W. Kannangara, father of free-education in nineteen forties, after the Free Education Bill was passed in the state council.

At least two scholarships are offered to deserving underprivileged bright students. But some Central Colleges offer more than two scholarships. A good example is Akuramboda Central College, where 10 scholarships are granted - 2 by the main union and 8 by the Colombo branch of the college P.P.A.

The scheme was started in 2003 at Akuramboda central college and now the scheme is extended to majority of the original central colleges such as Mavathagoda, Kekirawa, Narammala, Anuradhapura, Kalutara Tissa, Tolangamuwa etc.

We appeal to the P.P. of the remaining few central colleges to join the scheme without delay and assist a few more underprivileged students. According to the scheme, a student receives Rs. 400 per month and 10 months per year from Year 7 toYear 11. We also like to appeal to the past pupils and well-wishers of central colleges and contribute any amount to this welfare scheme and assist some under privileged students to make their future bright.

Those interested please contact the General secretary of the Union J.M.K.B. Jayasekara 24/18 Munasinghe Lane, Galawila-Watte, Homagama (Tele 011-2855058).

Minister Premajayantha has already shown his mettle as an unrivalled Minister of Education and we are sure he will be another Dr. C.W.W. Kannangara and give a face-lift to the Central Colleges.

A. W. G. Mudiyanse, Katugastota

SriLankan Airlines Flight to Gaya

According to two recent reports appearing in the Daily News of March 13 and 17, SriLankan Airlines has launched promotional packages to four destinations in India and three exciting holidays to Far East and increased its capacity to Calicut.

While launching promotional packages to other destinations, it is surprising that it had done away with its flights to Gaya since last October. My impression was that it was well patronized by the Sri Lankan Buddhists who found it very convenient.

Now even those pilgrims who wish to go to Buddha Gaya only have to fly to either Delhi or Chennai and take a domestic flight to Varanasi and then to Gaya by car or train which is time and money consuming.

This is the 2550th Buddha Jayanti Year and there are many who would like to visit Buddha Gaya this year.

They will appreciate it very much if the flight to Gaya is resumed at least during the pilgrim season. Perhaps the flight to Delhi could be routed through Gaya as was done previously.

DR. P. G. PUNCHIHEWA, Colombo 7

Hats off to Divisional Secretariat staff

After my husband's death, I had to get papers processed in order that I can receive WOP pension. I was asked by the authorities to get the Grama Sevaka to endorse my papers. On going to him, I was told he could not do so, since I was not included in the electoral list.

When my husband and I sold our property in about 1991, we were living with relatives and friends moving from place to place and nobody took note seriously to subscribe to this social need of the electoral list. This is a lapse on our part and I now know the seriousness of this lapse.

However there has to be a way out now but all efforts with the GS proved unsuccessful and now nearly 7 months after I am still without any pension.

With trepidation I entered the Divisional Secretariat to seek redress and to my surprise the Divisional Secretary, the Asstistant Secretary and the Accountant were all too understanding and holding a conference immediately found a solution that the matter is now complete.

My gratitude and more of such public servants of this calibre will certainly help to make Sri Lanka a better place.

S. C. PIETERSZ, Nugegoda